New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-13
MARY FEARN'S COURT Ball.
THE AMERICAN MINISTER'S DAUGHTER DANCES
WITH THE PRINCE.
From her Letter to The " o. Ptcayune.

From her Letter TO The " o. Pfcdyune
Then came my first court ball, and what
pcrence il was We sere carr ed up the broad marble
steps in a great stream OF people and into the ball
room, where about 1000 persons were hurrying about
making their engagements tor the dances and arrang
ing their rendezvous. The sale was magnificent
the walls lined with mirrors lighted from above by
huge crystal chandeliers, and the most perfect floor
had lust completed my list, having promised waltz
to Einpcdocles lancer to Pcricles and Quadrille
TO Epa ninOudas, when the aide dc-camp announced
in loud voice the arrival OF their Majesties hen
commenced what seemed to mo such n very amusing
performances. The gentlemen were all made to stand
on side of the room, the ladies' Oh the other quite
like Quaker meeting. A broad passage was thus
and Princess. and members OF the court passed, bow
ing to the right and lett
The Queen snicent in white satin bro
caded In silver, trimmed with white and a
diamond hinge. Her whole bodice was covered with
sapphires surrounded with di monds and her head and
neck blaze OF jewels The royal circle. as 1t Is called,
was then formt corner of the ROOM where the
royal family inoe the quadriles and SIT during the
cotillon -
The King gave the signal and then dancing began.
One very amusing feature was the manner in which
the round dances were begun. When the first bars
of the waltz played stood in the
middle of the floor and called to the people to make
circle on the edges of which stood the couples about
to dance, each dancer grasping his partner firmly by
tho waist. and preparing at the earliest possible
moment to plunge into the maddeniDg rush OF the
deux temps which Is danced here exclusively, ana
which Is perhaps tribe less rapid than the gaiiop
Tho Queen gave the signal and started round the
circle with her partner then tie Princess; alter her
the Crown Prince, and then all the other couples
follow ed right alter the other around and around
never turning tue lett but and faster and faster
each couple evidently entertaining but one notion-the
one which characterzes that exciting sport OF slide
on the ice when there Is only burning anxiety lest
you should swal ow up the man ahead OF you, OF IN
turn be swallowed up by the man behind YOU Ihe
deu temps Ia certainly great tun but It requires no
small amount OF agility and exhausts great deal OF
breath. You must be prepared 70 hop bithely over
tho PROSTATE couple who may have happened to fall
ahead of you or 1t such calamity should happen to
yourself to "lc low " while the on-cobing couple
clear YOU as they would hurdle. At the palace ball
there not many round dances ior the c0,ilon;
lasts three hours In between times supper Is served
have forgotten to say that the hng dances the square
dances with the wives OF the foreign ministers, the
Queen with the Kings aides SIDE camp, anu the Prince
| with the young Greek girls
| This Is the usual etiquette. You may imagine my
amazement when tho Prince walked across to me anu
said have been looking tor YOU want you TO
| aauc. the cotillon with me-" He had already sent
word 10 me 10 opposite him in the quadrille, and
| certainly did not expect more was naturally very
much pleased at the compliment, first on my own ac
count and secondly because there were many Amei
Americas being first in the heid' Us ""rA i""' ""'
| observed. A.. ., Ia .a .hor. I.
lint one opulon lie IL splendid brave young fellow,
of fine Intelligence, with tie gentlest and most modest
| manners. While not exactly handsome, he has lib
,raI share good looks, splendid physique and Is
every inch soldier sat between him and the King,
who did not dance but who talked TO all the the
that was not dancing. Beyond the KING sat the
Queen and her partner, then the Princess and her
partner II, .,,.,
am entirely given to the fvoties OF this world
You might like to know that papa and attend the
readings of the American School OF Classical Studies
and that nv Greek is sufficiently advanced Ia follow
with great interest the Acharnians OF Arstophanes
when il now being discussed. The next play Will DO
the U;dipus OF Sophocles.